The Northwoods Gondola is now open! Thank you for your patience
Thank you for welcoming athletes, media, & spectators to the FISU World University Games at Gore Mountain! What a great event!
The Winter World University Games is the largest winter multi-sport collegiate athletic event in the world. University students between the ages of 17 and 25 are eligible to enter. In 2018, Lake Placid was selected to host the 2023 World University Games. New York’s ORDA venues are proud to be hosting this 11-day international festival and competition, as the world unites at venues all around the Adirondacks of NY!
During the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Winter World University Games, Gore Mountain is open! Training and competition will take place January 12-22 and the event window is January 2-24 as we set up and dismantle the supporting infrastructure.
At Gore Mountain, you can witness top athletes from around the world competing in games including Skiercross, Big Air, and Slopestyle. Due to the high-profile nature of the Games, temporary changes to capacity, parking, trails, lifts, lodges, and activities can be expected during these events. We’ve filled this page with details of some of the changes to the Gore experience that you can anticipate. This information is subject to changes, please check back for updates!
If you plan to ski at Gore during the World University Games, here is what you can expect:
Plan to arrive early to avoid anticipated traffic and parking delays.
From Monday, January 9 – Sunday, January 22, the Premier Parking Lot will be closed to the public, including parking season passholders; paid parking will not be available for purchase.
We will have increased security including bag checks at all entrances. Everyone entering Gore Mountain Ski Area must go through a security checkpoint. No hard coolers, outside alcohol or other prohibited items* will be allowed through these checkpoints.
Shuttles will offer convenient access to the Base Area from Lots D, E, F, & G.
*Prohibited items include firearms, explosive and/or incendiary devices, noxious material, electronic stun guns, assault-type items or devices, edged weapons, nuisance items & devices, restraining-type items/devices, and additional miscellaneous items.
When you arrive, there will be a different parking and traffic plan, reference the map above for drop-off and parking. Wherever you see parking attendants directing vehicles in a lot, that is the closest lot open. If you see a sign that says “Now Parking Lot “E, F, or G,” this also indicates the closest open lot. Save time, park, and take the shuttle bus to the Base Area. Save some more time and boot up at your car.
Freeski provides some of the best action of the Olympic disciplines, combining the high-flying tricks of freestyle skiing with the skill and excitement of snowboarding. The “Free” in the title refers to the freestyle origins of this discipline.
Ski & Snowboard Cross – Athletes combine Alpine and Freestyle skills in timed head-to-head races. The course terrain incorporates big-air jumps and high-banked turns.
Slopestyle – In this event, competitors race down a designated course, hitting a variety of obstacles, jumps, and rails and doing backflips or other “impossible” acrobatic tricks. Harder tricks earn more points for originality, amplitude, and execution.
Big Air – Epic tricks like multiple flips, and big air over 100 feet wow fans of this event. Competitors get two runs to showcase their best tricks, in an attempt to qualify for the finals.
Snowboard Slaloms – Riders race down two evenly spaced courses at speeds of up to 70 mph through sets of gates that force extremely tight and quick turns, or wide sweeping turns through more spaced out Giant Slalom gates.
Wild Air, Lower Sleighride, 2b, Pot Luck, and The Arena will be open for competition only. Jibland and Starting Gate will not be open during the World University Games. We have a Terrain Park open on Upper Sleighride for public use during the Games.
From January 2-24, the Tahawus Room in the Base Lodge and the large dining/banquet room in the Tannery Restaurant will be reserved for the exclusive use of FISU World University Games staff, media, and coaches.
Plan to arrive extra early, allowing additional time for parking and security checkpoints before you check in for lessons or get fitted for rental equipment.
We will have increased security including bag checks at all entrances. Everyone entering Gore Mountain Ski Area must go through a security checkpoint. No outside alcohol or prohibited items will be allowed through these checkpoints.
PROHIBITED ITEMS ARE LISTED BELOW.
*Drones: any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which is piloted remotely or flies autonomously through the use of software. This restriction does not apply to Law Enforcement.
When are the Games?
Events are January 12-22. Course building on the mountain started on January 3 and the detailed schedule for the competitions at Gore can be found here.
Can Passholders, Frequent Skier Cardholders, & E-Ticket guests ski & ride?
YES! We are open during the games. Expect a snow day as usual. There is a lot of skiing for you at Gore. Only a few trails are being used for the Games.
What trails are the courses on?
Wild Air, Lower Sleighride, 2b, Pot Luck, and The Arena will be open for competition only. Jibland and Starting Gate will not be available during the World University Games. We have a Terrain Park on Upper Sleighride for public use during the Games.
Will the Games affect the lifts?
No, all lifts will run like normal. Athletes will have a separate line at the Adirondack Express.
Will it be crowded?
We expect the volume of guests and vehicles to be similar to any other season during January. We anticipate more guests on the weekend and during the MLK Holiday (January 14-16), as holidays & weekends at Gore Mountain typically see an influx of visitors.
Parking?
When you arrive, there will be a different parking and traffic plan. Parking during the weekends & holiday periods will have a high volume of vehicles, just like any other weekend or holiday. We will have a drop-off area and shuttles, but Premier Parking won’t be available for our guests during the FISU World University Games. As always, regular parking at Gore Mountain is always free. We are bringing in a professional parking team to help assist & we have established a new flow, so follow the staff & the new parking signs— plan to arrive early to avoid delays. Wherever you see Gore parking staff directing cars to parking spaces, that is the closest lot open. If you see a sign that says, “Now Parking Lot “E, F, or G,” this indicates the closest open lot. Save time, park, and take the shuttle bus to the base area. See the Parking Map here.
Security? What will we need?
It won’t be like airport security, and you don’t need to present any tickets to enter the Gore Mountain Base Area. You can walk right through, and security will only stop you if you bring in prohibited items. They may check your bags, so getting ready at your car could speed up the process. Note that hard coolers & outside alcohol won’t be allowed. See the complete list of Prohibited Items here.
Will the games affect the ability to buy tickets?
Buying E-Tickets in advance will lock in your dates & give you the best available pricing. Holiday periods and weekends are more likely to sell out than other dates. There will be World University Games events during the MLK Holiday period, January 14-16. E-tickets have the potential to sell out on these dates and any future dates this season. In the case of online sellouts as well as during holiday periods, tickets are not available to purchase at the mountain.
What else will the games affect?
From January 2-24, the Tahawus Room in the Base Lodge and the large dining/banquet room in the Tannery Restaurant will be reserved for the exclusive use of FISU World University Games staff, media, and coaches.
What’s in it for me?
FREE Giveaways & Event Tickets for 22-23 Season Passholders (sent to their email)! Join our sundeck parties happening daily from January 12-22. We will have giveaways, a live DJ, complimentary smores, food & drink specials, food trucks, and fantastic entertainment available while you watch these world-class athletes attempt incredible feats on the courses. 22-23 Season Passholders have received an exclusive e-mail offer for two free tickets for any (1) FISU World University Games event of their choice.
Do we need to buy tickets to watch the games?
Spectator tickets that offer access to our reserved spectator areas near the finish lines of each course are available for $15 here. Your valid season pass or lift ticket gives you access to all skiing competitions so come watch the Games, and you may be on ESPN.
Can we use the courses after the Games are over?
Not just yet. We are hosting the Holeshot Cross Tour from February 6-10 on these competition courses. Following this exciting event and as conditions allow, the courses will be modified and open to public.
Who is building the course?
Arena Snow Parks, a professional course-building company out of British Columbia.
Who is FISU?
Since 1949, the International University Sports Federation has been the key driver to expand the role and reach of university sports around the world. It serves as the international governing body for the World University Games.
Where are athletes from?
The athletes are ages 17-25, from 500 universities in 46 different countries.
Why is ORDA hosting these games at Gore?
The FISU Winter World University Games is the world’s largest winter multi-sport collegiate athletic event across many sports disciplines. In 2018, Lake Placid was selected to host the FISU World University Games and it was soon decided to split the competition venues across regions — Lake Placid, Gore Mountain in the south, and Canton and Potsdam in the west. This approach provides regional economic vitality, international sport, and brand recognition throughout the North Country region of New York State.
Anything else we should know?
These events are going to be very exciting to watch! Join the Sundeck Parties, cheer on these incredible athletes, have fun, and enjoy your day on the mountain as usual. We hope to see you there!